Hello everyone

RENEW US BY YOUR SPIRIT — MAY 10

WEEK 2   –1 SORRY –Turning around

Jesus begins his ministry with the word repent (see Mark 1.15) It means turn around. You’re going in the wrong direction. Re-orientate your life.

The whole world needs to hear this message. Whether it is the way we treat each other or the way we treat the planet, we are going in the wrong direction. No one seriously disputes this. The world has to change. But who has the answers? Who do we follow?

Jesus says, follow me and you will be walking in the light (see John 8.12). Jesus gives us a way of inhabiting the world and living with each other that is, truly, the world’s best hope.

It begins by turning around. By following him. The Christian faith is a way for everyone.

PRAYER

Steadfast God, redirect my life and redirect the life of the world. Help us to live in peace with each other and with the planet. And today help me to tread lightly on the earth, praying for others that we may all find for ourselves the way of being human that God shows us in Jesus. Give me the chance to start again. To turn around

2 –OFFER — A new heaven and a new earth

The offer of the Christian faith is the offer of abundant life (see John 10.10). Not a life lived somewhere else, but this life lived to the full; this life lived in the way God intends.

Some people have never really heard this offer. They thought the Christian faith was just a private thing with God, a way of getting to heaven. But God doesn’t just promise life after death, but heaven come down to earth, a better and more fulfilled life now. It starts by turning around. We see ourselves in right relationship with God. That God is the source of life. That we are the ones who have received the gift of life. Acknowledging this, our hearts overflow with thanksgiving. We start to live differently. We follow the way of Jesus. We pray that this way of life will be found by everyone.

PRAYER

Generous God, pour your abundant life into my heart. Help me to live differently. And today may others see and receive this offer of life through me.

Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favour and good repute in the sight of God and of people. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3.3-6)

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone.

(1 Timothy 2.)

3–Make your life a prayer

What then should we pray for?

Paul sets the bar of expectation very high. We should pray for everyone. We should pray all the time.

I see it this way. Make your life a prayer. Make your life an offering. Ask God that your life and your prayers, your words and your actions, might make a difference in the world. To follow in the way of Jesus means living a Jesus shaped life, so that all the good things that we see in him can also be seen in us, at least in part.

In this way our following Jesus is more than attending services, or even believing certain things. It is a way of life. A way that makes a difference for us and for the world.

PRAYER

Transforming God, make me more like Jesus. And because I know my life is not like that, show me Jesus today. And change my prayer from asking things for myself to asking you what you would like for me, so that my life can be part of your story. And help me to pray for others, that they may know Christ for themselves.

SEEP SAFE – KEEP PRAYING —–

Peter

Join us in church or online for Sunday morning worship. All welcome!

9:30am – St Bartholomew’s – Meltham (can be joined via YouTube)
9:30am – St James’ – Meltham Mills
11:15am – St Mary’s – Wilshaw (can be joined via Zoom from 11am)
11:15am – Christ Church – Helme

YouTube link: https://youtu.be/3wM-J2VXciU
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89541841029?pwd=TFBrWVFtYlZiK25QOXRoZUliZmF6UT09

God on Mute: a 5 week course on Unanswered Prayer lead by Pete Greig.

We are starting the Course on Thursday 13th May 2021 at 8.00pm. 

The Sessions

The Prayer Course II is split into five sessions:

• 1 God on Mute: Engaging the Silence
• 2 Maundy Thursday: How?
• 3 Good Friday: Why?
• 4 Holy Saturday: Where?
• 5 Easter Sunday: When?

I’ll send out a Zoom link nearer the time. Don’t worry if you didn’t join the Prayer Course. Let’s learn together.

Nigel Priestley

Hello Everyone.

INTRODUCTION  May 3

Thy Kingdom Come (TKC) is not new. Our new Archbishop of York has written a booklet for this year which is intended for everyone. The booklet is written to be used daily between Accension Day and Pentecost, two weeks. I have broken the material down to cover four weeks and not two. Thus, giving more time and space to be used and reflected on by you, as you will. One sitting for each of the four weeks or using the material sheets daily for each of the four weeks. You might find it helpful to have paper and pen handy for questions and insights you might have.

RENEW US BY YOUR SPIRIT

This booklet is intended for everyone. We all need the encouragement of the basic promises of the Christian faith to help us live the life God gives us to the full. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit every area of our lives: where we can go, whom we can see, how we can worship.  In the time between Ascension Day and Pentecost, Thy Kingdom Come is a gift to refresh our faith, especially if we felt isolated from our community or our Church during this difficult time.

I have also written this in the hope that those who don’t know Jesus at all may find in these pages the hope they long for. So, if you are already a follower of Jesus, receive this as a reminder and an encouragement of why and how following Jesus makes a difference to you. Why not think about who you could give a copy to and how you could be praying for those you know who also need the hope of the gospel. And if you are yet to encounter Jesus Christ, my hope is that you will do so in what you read and reflect on in this booklet. Each day there are a few things to read, a prayer to offer and then an invitation for you to make your own reflections on what it means to follow in the way of Christ. You don’t have to write anything down, but you may find it helpful. Don’t worry if this isn’t you. Just ask God to help you see clearly how you can follow Jesus and who you can help. And do this not only with yourself in focus, but also those you know – maybe pray for 5 friends, family, neighbours, colleagues – who live their lives yet to know the love offered to them in Christ Jesus. In these days of hopeful waiting and praying between Ascension and Pentecost, may we all be renewed by the Spirit; made new in Christ.

Stephen Cottrell —Archbishop of York

WEEK ONE — 1 JESUS – Followers of Jesus

The first followers of Jesus weren’t called Christians. That came later. They were called followers of ‘the way’ (see Acts 24.14). This seems like a good place to start: especially at such a dark and difficult time for our world. The Christian faith is a way of life. In fact, Jesus himself says to his friends on the night before he dies, “I am the way”. Jesus shows us what humanity can be like when it is lived God’s way. His kindness, generosity, goodness, and forgiveness are from God. This is what God is like. God welcomes everyone. Life is hard. The way ahead isn’t obvious. And faced with difficulty and uncertainty, God doesn’t send us a rule book or a map. He sends a companion to walk with us: Jesus, the way. And he is not just the way for us – but for each and every person. Let us pray for those we know and love that they may find the way of Christ.

PRAYER

Loving God, when I’m feeling lost or lonely or afraid or uncertain of the way ahead, be my guide, a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. And today help me to be a good companion to those I meet.

READINGS

Thomas said to him, “”Lor d, we do not know w here you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14. 5-6

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. (Psalm 42. 11)

WEEK ONE–2—PRAISE –the way of abundant joy.

In Christian worship there is lots of praise. Christians often tell God how brilliant God is. What sort of God needs this, is often the response from those who are new to the Christian faith? God must be very insecure, they think. But we don’t praise God because God needs it. We do it because we need it. When we praise God we put ourselves in perspective. We acknowledge that God is the source and origin of everything, even the breath that we’re taking right now. Without God, there is nothing. There is no one who doesn’t need to know that. The way of life which is the way of Jesus Christ is a way of abundant, appreciative joy. Even in the darkest hours, we believe in the light, we praise him. And from the perspective of his light pray for others.

PRAYER

Faithful God, help me to understand myself, so that even in the most difficult times I may know your presence with me and may sing your praises, defiantly praising your goodness even when there is so much that is wrong. And today, help me show others the good things I receive in Christ and show the world His way.

WEEK ONE — 3 –THANKS— expanding the heart

When we stood outside on Thursday evenings in the summer of 2020 cheering the NHS, did we realise how much it would change us? By giving thanks, by praising, we learnt to put the needs of others before our own. We discovered a deep appreciation for those who put their lives at risk to serve us. Thanksgiving expands the heart. We cheered other key workers as well. And who would have thought that the person stacking the supermarket shelves was an essential worker? We learnt that we belong to each other: that my well-being is tied up with everyone’s well-being; that Covid-19 won’t be dealt with anywhere, until it is dealt with everywhere. This is also the way of Jesus, where we learn that we are sisters and brothers, children of one God. Let us pray that the people we know, and the whole world, may find the way of Christ.

PRAYER

Generous God, fill my heart with thanksgiving for all the blessing I receive in life. Expand my heart, and help me love, support and cherish those who serve me. And today help me to live as sister or brother to all whom I meet

READINGS

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.  (COLOSSIANS 3:15

Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord; his appearing is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth. (Hosea 6.3)

KEEP SAFE–  KEEP PRAYING

Peter

We are back at long last!! Your chance to work off some of the lockdown weight free of charge.

Here are May’s dates, so grab your flask and join us.

Saturday mornings from about 09.30 to 12.30.

8th May – Calmlands Bush and undergrowth cutting.

15th May – Calmlands Bush and undergrowth cutting.

Feel free just to turn up, for all or a part of the session. We have a good chat and a laugh as well as work. As we are outside, it is always weather dependant, here’s trusting for a long hot summer.

#Meltham Parish Churches are now open for worship. You can join us in church or online. All welcome!

9:30am – St Bartholomew’s – Meltham (can be joined via YouTube)
9:30am – St James’ – Meltham Mills
11:15am – St Mary’s – Wilshaw (can be joined via Zoom from 11am)
11:15am – Christ Church – Helme

YouTube link: https://youtu.be/jIK08LAzlJ8
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89541841029?pwd=TFBrWVFtYlZiK25QOXRoZUliZmF6UT09

Welcome to the May edition of the #Meltham Parish magazine. Thank you
to all those who have contributed to our new feature on Christian music. We hope you enjoy reading about how music impacts different people for different reasons. Pam tells us how she remembers getting a glimpse of Prince Philip and also looking forward to seeing her family again. Enjoy learning about how St Mary’s was originally decorated before the redecoration in the 1930’s – it really is an eye opener.

Finally, ‘Thank you’ to John Steel photography who have contributed the photos on the front page of St Bart’s and the back page of St James’ (if you look hard you might even be able to see Rev John.)

Hello Everyone

Prayer as the way into our relationship with God.

As we move towards Pentecost we need the comfort only Jesus can give to the world especially during the trials of the pandemic that we find ourselves in. The passage I have chosen helps us focus our attention on the relationship Jesus has with His Father. The relationship also that Jesus had with His Disciples. As we take time to meditate on this scripture ask the Holy Spirit to teach us how to communicate with God the Father. Ask for the freedom to be open simply to chat with God as you would to someone who you know as a close friend.

John 14  New International Version

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Jesus the Way to the Father

⁵ Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

⁸ Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”  ⁹ Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ¹⁰ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. ¹¹ Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. ¹² Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³ And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

¹⁵ “If you love me, keep my commands. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be  in you. ¹⁸ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. ¹⁹ Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. ²⁰ On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. ²¹ Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

²² Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

²³ Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. ²⁴ Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

²⁵ “All this I have spoken while still with you. ²⁶ But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. ²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

²⁸ “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. ²⁹ I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 

A Prayer based on John 14

Written August 28, 2011 by Christine Jerrett

You are the source of our life. You have given us a wonderful world and permeated it through and through with your grace and your love.
You have promised that you will give us your Spirit, to be with us as we journey through this life.
Yet, we confess the many times when our eyes can’t see you, can’t take you in, can’t comprehend how you can be at work in pain and disappointment and sorrow.

We need your Spirit to lift our sights to your wide horizons.

Teach us to pray with such openness to your Spirit that you make yourself plain to us.
Bring us to that place where we are willing to place our lives in your keeping, to submit to your life-changing love, and to move with you into your large open spaces of salvation.
We ask these things in Jesus’ name, our light and our salvation, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Spirit in the bright glory of the holy Trinity, forever and ever. Amen.

Time for own prayers ———Lord’s Prayer

KEEP SAFE ….KEEP PRAYING……Peter

Here are the zoom links for the next 6 weeks with the service information.

        Apr 25, 2021 11:00 AM – Holy Communion – Rev Judy

        May 2, 2021 11:00 AM – Service of the Word – Jacqueline

        May 9, 2021 11:00 AM – Holy Communion – Rev John

        May 16, 2021 11:00 AM – Service of the Word – Rev John

        May 23, 2021 11:00 AM – Holy Communion – Rev Judy

        May 30, 2021 11:00 AM – Service of the Word – Rev John/Jacqueline

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89541841029?pwd=TFBrWVFtYlZiK25QOXRoZUliZmF6UT09

Meeting ID: 895 4184 1029

Passcode: 601850

#Meltham Parish Churches are now open for worship. You can join us in church or online.

9:30am – St Bartholomew’s – Meltham (can be joined via YouTube)
9:30am – St James’ – Meltham Mills
11:15am – St Mary’s – Wilshaw (can be joined via Zoom)
11:15am – Christ Church – Helme

YouTube link: https://youtu.be/msp19v2ZUFo
Zoom link: (currently not available)